JPH0244869A - Still video camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent an unreasonable camera operation by preventing the acceptance of the input signals of various operating members participating in a photographing operation to a camera main body when a cover is open. CONSTITUTION:When the opening/closing cover is open, the input signals of the various operating members participating in the photographing operation to the camera main body are prevented from being accepted. Besides, the achieving means of this function is constituted of a CPU 1, and besides, the operating members are photometry range finding switch S1, a releasing switch S2, a sound recording switch S3, a mode change-over switch S4, a lens change-over switch S13, etc. Accordingly, in a state the opening/closing cover for loading/ unloading a recording medium to/from the still camera main body is left open as it is, even if the various operating members participating in the photographing operation are operated, the signals of those are not accepted by the camera main body. Thus, such unreasonable operation as to cause malfunction can not be caused, and besides, a current is never consumed uselessly.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a still video camera in which a recording medium such as a floppy disk for recording image information is inserted into and removed from the main body.

[Prior Art] In a still video camera, video and audio information is magnetically recorded on a recording medium such as a floppy disk that is inserted into and removed from the camera body. The camera body is equipped with an opening/closing lid for inserting and removing floppy disks.

Further, this type of camera has a large number of operation switch members for setting modes and the like.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, if the opening/closing lid remains open, it is clearly determined that the user does not intend to take a photograph. If the operating member of the camera is operated in such a case, and the input signal is received by the camera, it will cause a malfunction or a photographing error, which is unreasonable.

The present invention solves the problem described in ``-'', and prevents unreasonable camera operations by not accepting operation signals for operating members involved in photographing operations when the opening/closing lid remains open. To provide a still video camera that does not cause any problems.

[Means for solving the problem] The present invention has a means for recording video information on a recording medium,
In addition, in a still video camera having an opening/closing lid for loading and unloading a recording medium into the camera body, when the opening/closing lid is opened, input signals from various operating members to the camera body involved in shooting operations are not accepted. It is something.

In addition, the above function achieving means is CPUI in the following embodiment.
Consists of. In addition, the operating member includes a photometric and distance measuring switch S1.
, release switch S2, recording switch S3, mode changeover switch S4, lens changeover switch 313, and the like. Note that the date information modification switch 86 and the like are not directly involved in the photographing operation of the camera, so there is no problem even if they are accepted.

[Operation] In the above configuration, if the opening/closing lid is left open, even if various operating members involved in photographing operations are operated, input signals from these members will not be accepted by the camera, and the camera will not be able to receive the input signals. It does not cause any unnatural movements.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, when the opening/closing lid for loading and unloading a recording medium into the still video camera body is left open, various operating members involved in the shooting operation are not operated. However, those signals are not accepted by the camera body,
Therefore, irrational operations such as malfunctions will not occur, and current will not be wasted unnecessarily. (Hereafter, margin)
[Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a block configuration of an embodiment of a still video camera equipped with an audio recording device of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) that controls the entire camera, 2 is a group of various switches that input command information etc. to the CPU (details will be described later), and 3 is a power circuit section. Main battery 4, booster circuit 5 for obtaining power for CCD (described later), backup battery 6, CPU
Regulator 7 for obtaining power for use and general circuits
Consists of etc.

Reference numeral 8 denotes an automatic focus (AP) circuit section, which includes an AP circuit 9 that outputs focus and distance information to the CPU, a lens extension motor 0, a madanet 11 for lens stop, and a lens position detection encoder 12. 13 is a lens switching/barrier opening/closing circuit; 14 is its motor; for example, when the motor 4 rotates forward, the lens is sequentially switched between standard and close-up; when the motor 4 rotates in reverse, it is located in front of the lens, and has the function of an optical path shielding plate. The barrier is then opened and closed.

Reference numeral 15 denotes an automatic exposure (AE) circuit section, and this circuit section 15 includes a spot photometry circuit 1 which receives as input a detection signal of a photometry element sp that measures the subject brightness at the center spot of the photographic screen.
6. Photometric element A that measures the subject brightness in the peripheral area of the shooting screen
A photometric circuit 17 which inputs the detection signal of VE, an A/D conversion circuit 18 which A/D converts these detection data, and this A/D conversion circuit 18
A serial communication interface 19 receives /D conversion data and performs serial communication with the CPUI, and based on commands from the CPUI input through the interface 19,
In order to obtain proper exposure, as will be described later, a weighting circuit 20 weights the detected data, and a signal is output based on the output of this weighting circuit 20 and a command from the CPU without intervening the interface 19. It consists of a level shift circuit 21 that shifts the level.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a circuit section for controlling the actual closing timing of the CCD shutter based on the output from the AE circuit section 15, which connects a timekeeping capacitor 25 and the circuit section 22 to open the circuit at the shutter opening timing. The switch 26 that releases the short circuit of the capacitor 25 and the connection point potential V between the capacitor 25 and the output part of the level shift circuit 21 are referenced to the reference potential V.
It consists of comparators 27 and 28 for comparison with Q and Vl.

23 is the release signal and C for shooting the COD shutter.
A control circuit for controlling to open based on a pulse signal from the CD driver 32 and close when a predetermined exposure is obtained by the output of the comparator 28 of the circuit section 22 or a forced close signal from the CPUI, A shutter opening/closing signal is output to the CPUI and CCD driver 32.

Reference numeral 24 is a gain control discrimination circuit, and depending on the output of the comparator 27 and the close signal 1 from the shutter control circuit 23, it is determined that the predetermined exposure (exposure amount less than the appropriate exposure by a predetermined one) was not obtained even after the camera shake limit time was exceeded. At times, a signal for electrically controlling the gain of the video recording image signal is given to the CPU 1.

29 is a microphone for recording, and 30 is an audio circuit that operates in response to a recording control signal from the CPU. The output of I30 is given to a video recording circuit 34, which will be described later.

31 is a COD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as COD), which is a solid-state image sensor that converts optical image information into an electrical signal;
2 is a driver that drives the CCD 31, and this CCD driver 32 receives the output of the CC and D shutter control circuit 23,
It operates in response to the ISO sensitivity switching signal from the CPUI, the synchronization signal PG generated in synchronization with the rotation of the floppy disk, etc.

34 is a video recording circuit for magnetically recording images and audio onto a floppy disk, and 35 is a magnetic head thereof. Digital information signal (year, month, day, track number, etc.) displayed simultaneously with the image, gain control output, synchronization signal PG
It operates according to the following.

36 is a spindle motor driver for driving the floppy disk to rotate at a constant speed according to a command from the CPUI, and 37 is a spindle motor.

38 is the magnetic herad 35 according to a command from the CPUI.
A stepping motor driver 39 is a stepping motor for moving the stepping motor 3.
9, the magnetic head 35 is controlled to move to a predetermined track position on the floppy disk. 40 is a head holding plunger for setting the head in a predetermined position during recording (writing).

41 is a flash that fires when the exposure amount is insufficient during shooting, and it has a built-in charging circuit and booster circuit for flashing.
The boost operation is started by the boost signal from CPUI, and cp
Based on the charging completion monitor signal from the ui, a charging completion signal is output to the CPU when charging is completed. Also, (4'U
The flash is caused to emit light by the light emitting power signal from 1. Reference numeral 42 indicates a slope setting circuit that prevents abnormal operation when the power supply is low, and 43 indicates a mode in which the COD shutter opening operation is performed by a self-timer during photographing.
44 is a buzzer that generates a sound to warn the user when the floppy inserter's deck lid is left open.
45 is activated by the output of the CPUI and displays various camera information,
This is a display section for displaying setting modes and the like on an LCD or the like.

The components of the switch group 2 include the main switch SO1 and the switch S for performing photometry and distance measurement prior to photographing.
1. Release switch S2 when performing a photographing operation; Recording switch S3 for selecting a recording mode or not.
a switch S4 that switches between single shooting (S, which is the standard mode), continuous shooting (C), which takes multiple photos, and self-timer (SELF), which takes photos using a self-timer; Information changeover switch S5 to day 1
, day 1 - information correction switch S6, switch S7 for detecting the open/closed state of the deck lid, switch S8 for detecting the insertion state of the floppy disk, switch S9 for detecting the presence or absence of the write-protection claw on the floppy disk, the open position of the barrier and Switches SIO and Sll that detect the closed position, a switch 312 that detects the initial position of the lens, and a lens changeover switch 813 that brings the lens into a close-up state during close-up photography.
, close-up lens (close-up condition)
and a switch S14 that detects the exit position (stunt start state). It consists of a switch S15 and a switch S16 that detects the initial position of the magnetic head.

Here, the CPUI is equipped with various functional configurations such as a self-timer means and a sequence control means to be described later, and setting information such as the recording switch S3 and the mode changeover switch 84 is input by the user before shooting and is stored in the memory in the CPUI. Based on this memory information, the CPU 1 executes predetermined program operations, and camera operations such as video recording and audio recording are performed.

Particularly, in the present invention, when the self-timer mode is selected and set using the mode selector switch S4, recording is performed during the self-timer count before taking an image, whereas when the self-timer mode is not selected, recording is performed after the end of taking the image. , the sequence is automatically switched using the CPUI.

Hereinafter, the operation of this camera will be explained according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2 to 7.

FIG. 2 shows the main flowchart. In the figure, when power is turned on to the CPUI, CPU1 is reset (#1), the reset flag is set to "1", and #2>, the flag and RAM are initialized, and the lens and magnetic head 35 are set to their initial positions. Perform the initial settings (#3). In addition,
If this reset flag remains "1", it means that the date has not been corrected as described later, and such date information is not recorded on the floppy disk, and some parts of the LCD etc. Warns by flashing. Next, check to see if there is a battery (#4), and if there is no battery, perform the battery removal routine (#5), and if there is a battery, check the status of the main switch SO (#6).

If the switch SO is currently ON, check whether the deck lid is open or closed, whether there is a floppy disk, whether there is a recording prohibition claw, and whether the deck lid has just changed from opening to closing.
7 to #10), immediately after the deck lid is closed, the initial load routine locates the beginning of an unrecorded track on the floppy disk, and the magnetic head 35 moves to that position (#11).

After that, if the judgment in #10 is NO, check the status of the photometry/distance measurement switch S1 (#12), and if it has changed from OFF to ON, perform photometry/distance measurement, exposure, and subsequent various steps. The S1 sequence (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) consisting of the following is processed (#13 and #14). If the switch S1 is OFF or has remained ON, the S1 sequence does not proceed, but the state of the lens close-up switch 313 is checked (#15), and when it is turned ON, the lens switching routine (#16) is started. ).

Next, check the state of the mode selector switch S4 (#17
), when this is turned ON, the date flag is set to 0, and if it is in the date switching correction mode, this correction mode is removed (#18), and the mode change routine (#19)
process. Through this mode change process, as described above, one of the shooting modes of single, continuous shooting, and selfie is stored in memory. Next, check the state of the recording switch S3 (#20), and when it is turned on, the date flag is similarly set to "0", and if it is in the date changeover correction mode, it is removed from this correction mode (#20). 21) Process the recording switching routine (#22).

The close-up switch S13, mode changeover switch S4, recording switch 83, etc. all change to a different state each time they are pressed (turned on), and return to the original state when pressed as many times as there are existing states.

After that, check the status of the date selector switch S5 (423
), when this is turned ON, the date flag is set to "1" and the date switching correction mode is entered (#24), and the reset flag is set to "0" to enable recording of date information.
25) After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, start the data 1 timer to exit this switching correction mode (#26).
), the date switching routine (#27) is processed. Next, look at the date flag (#28) and say, ``If this is IJ and date 1~correction switch S6 is turned on.''

Start the timer anew from Day 1 above (#29#3
0), the data 1 to modification routine (#31) is processed.

date)・When the correction switch 36 is OFF and the date timer time has elapsed (YES in #32), the date flag is set to rQ.
J (#33>), the date switching correction mode is exited.As will be described later in the S1 sequence, even if the photometry/distance measurement switch S1 is turned on, the date switching correction mode is exited.

After that, check whether the charging circuit of the flash 41 needs to be boosted (#34), and if boosting is necessary, check whether charging is complete (#35), and if not, start boosting the voltage (#36). Return to step #4 above. Also, # above
When the main switch SO is OFF in step 6 and # above
34. Although boosting is not necessary in #35, if charging is completed, the boosting should be stopped (#37), and the first
Start the timer (#38), and check whether the deck lid is open or closed (#44) until the predetermined time has elapsed (NO at #3). (
#45: No), switches So, SL, S3. S4. S
5. Check for changes in the condition of S6, deck lid, etc. (i
7) If there is a change, return to #4 above; if there is no change, return to #39.

Also, when the predetermined time set by the first timer has elapsed in step #3 above, change the setting mode to key (#4.0>, and if you are in selfie or continuous shooting mode, change it to the standard single mode. #41>, further adjust the condition of the lens (
#42), if it is close-up, change to standard #43), then proceed to #44 above. Also,
” 1. When the predetermined time set by the second timer has elapsed in #45, a warning is issued to the user using the buzzer 44 (#/
16). As is clear from this flowchart, no input is accepted when the deck lid is open.
Only date corrections are possible.

Also, if the deck lid is open in #1, #7, proceed to #48, and if it has just changed from closed to open, start the second timer (#49), and let the predetermined time elapse. to,
and #8 above. If there is no floppy or no nail at #9 (i.e. recording is prohibited), stop boosting the voltage (
#51), without checking the status of the switch 81, etc., the process proceeds to #23, and when the second predetermined time elapses, a warning is issued in the same manner as above (#52). Further, when the deck lid is closed, the warning is stopped (#53).

Next, an example of the S1 sequence of #14 will be described with reference to FIG. In this example, recording is prohibited during rapid shooting, and recording is performed after continuous shooting, and moreover, when the self-mode is selected, recording is performed during the self-timer.

In Fig. 3, the voltage increase is stopped to prohibit charging during recording/recording (#61), and the date fair lag is set to rQJ, that is, the date switching correction mode is exited by turning on the switch S1) (#61). 62), check whether self mode is stored in memory (#63),
If it is not self, it will immediately go into recording standby.
ONL the spindle motor 37 that drives the floppy
(#64) If it is self-timer, turn on the self-timer) To save power, do not turn on the spindle motor 37 at this point.

Next, distance measurement and photometry/AE operation routine #65, which will be described later. After processing #66), it is determined from the calculation result whether or not boosting is necessary (#67). If not, it waits for release switch S2 to be turned on (#68). When the switch S2 is turned on, it is checked whether the self mode is stored in memory (#69), and if it is not the self mode, it immediately processes the self sequence (#70) described later if it is in the self mode, and the spindle motor 37
ONL (#71), then open the barrier (#72)
), operates the lens extension motor 10 to extend the lens to the in-focus position (#73), processes a release routine (#74) to be described later, and records the image onto a floppy disk using a recording device such as the video recording circuit 34. Do (#7
5). In this recording step, date information of year, month, day and track number are also recorded at the same time. Note that when the camera is not in self-mode, recording is performed after taking an image, so it has not been performed yet at this point.

After that, the magnetic head 35 is sent to the next empty track (
#76), reset the lens #77), check whether the memory information for mode selection is continuous shooting mode (#78),
If not in continuous shooting mode, reset continuous shooting flag 2#
79) To finish recording the image, turn the spindle motor 37 to 0FFL (#80), close the barrier (#81), and return the lens to the standard position. (#82.#83).

Furthermore, if it is not the self mode (NO in #84), check the memory information according to the setting of the recording switch S3 (#85
), if it is in recording mode, the recording operation begins. Set the recordable timer time T of the audio memory to 9.6 seconds (s) (#86) and start the audio memory (#87). Then, the timer counts down and checks whether T=O (#88), and before reaching that point, checks whether the photometry/distance measurement switch S1 has been turned from OFF to ON (#89). Here, in order for the operator to indicate his/her intention not to stop recording midway, the switch S1 is set to be turned ON again from 0FFL, so if YES in #89, that is, to stop recording, Set the 83 count described later to "0"#
The voice memory is ended at 90 (#95).

If NO in #89 above, check the state of the main switch SO (#91), and if it turns OFF, reset the audio memory as an indication of your intention to stop the current recording from the beginning (#92), and process the audio recording. The process moves to #4 in the main flowchart of FIG. 2 described above without doing anything. #91 above
If the main switch SO remains ON, then check whether the recording switch S3 has changed from OFF to ON (#
93).

This is because if the user wishes to make additional recordings for one captured image, the user can indicate his/her intention by pressing the recording switch S3. That is, recording switch S3
When is pressed once, the 83 count is incremented by 1 (#94) and the process returns to #88. This 83
As the count is incremented, the process returns from #100 to #86 via #101, as will be described later, and the recording timer is set again, allowing additional recording by the number of 83 counts.

When the timer reaches T=O, end the audio memory #95
>, turn on the spindle motor 37 (#96), and record audio (#97). Here, the track number and audio compatible track number.

Date information such as year, month, and day is not recorded.

Next, the magnetic head 35 is moved to the next empty track ('
#98), spindle motor 37 to 0FFL (#99)
, check the S3 count (#100), and if it is "0", return to standard single if the mode is self or continuous shooting (#102, #'103), then go to #4 of the main flowchart. return. Further, if the 83 count is not 0 in #100, the 83 count is decremented by 1 (#101), and the process returns to #86. Additional recording is thus performed.

Note that if it is not the recording mode in #85, the process moves to #102 without processing the steps of the recording operation described above.

Also, if continuous shooting mode is set in #78 above,
Continuous shooting is executed by setting the continuous shooting flag 2 to "1"(#104), returning to #65, and cyclically processing the above routine. Here, recording is not being made during continuous shooting.6 Also, in #68 above, if release switch S2 remains OFF or becomes OFF, check continuous shooting flag 2, and if continuous shooting is not in progress, release switch S2 is OFF. Check the open/close status of
If it is N or ON, the process returns to #66, and if it is open, OFF, or OFF, the process moves to #4 of the main flowchart.

On the other hand, if the continuous shooting flag 2 is "1" in #105, the continuous shooting operation is canceled and the process moves to #79.

On the other hand, if it is determined in #67 that the voltage needs to be boosted, check whether charging is completed (#109), and if charging is completed, check #
The process proceeds to 68, but if charging is not completed, it is checked whether there is bright backlight (#110). As a result, if there is bright backlight and the release switch S2 is turned on (YES in #111), the process proceeds to #69 above, but otherwise, the continuous shooting flag 2 indicating whether or not rapid shooting is in progress is set. At this point, during continuous shooting, a so-called uncharged lock (occurs when it becomes dark during continuous shooting) occurs, stopping continuous shooting and proceeding to #79. If continuous shooting is not in progress, turn off the spindle motor 37 to save power while charging.
F (#113) and start boosting the voltage (#114>. After that, check whether charging is complete (#115), and if charging is complete, stop boosting the voltage (#116), and again check whether there is bright backlight. Check (#117), and if YES, turn on the spindle motor 37 (#118) and return to #66. If No, return to #4 of the main flow.

Also, if #115 above is not fully charged, the deck lid,
Look at each status of the main switch SO1 and photometry/distance measurement switch S1 (#119 to #121), and see if they are closed, ON, or
If it is ON, check whether there is bright backlight, and if it is bright backlight, check the status of release switch $2 (#123)
, if this is ON, stop boosting the voltage while waiting for charging to complete (#124), and turn on the spindle motor 37<#125
) and take a photo <(Proceed to #69). Also, #12 above
If the judgment in step 2 is NO, that is, when it is dark or #123
When the release switch S2 is OFF, the above #11
Return to 5. Further, when the deck lid is opened in steps #119 to #121, the main switch SO is OFF, and the photometry/distance measurement switch S1 is OFF, the process exits the S1 sequence and moves to #4 of the main flowchart.

Note that when the self mode is stored in memory and the sequence of the same mode (#70) is processed, recording has already been completed, so the process directly proceeds from #84 to #96.

The S1 Sequence shown in Figure 3 above records recording (
However, as will be described later, an embodiment in which recording is performed during continuous shooting will be described below with reference to FIG. 4.

In FIG. 4, in this embodiment, if continuous shooting mode is used, #
The process advances from 78 to #104, and after setting the continuous shooting flag 2 to "1", a recording operation is performed. That is, timer T=9.6 seconds (
s) #201) and start audio memory #
202), until T=O, the process returns from #203 to #65, and thereafter, this routine is repeated to perform continuous shooting and recording.

When T=O, end the audio memory (#204), set continuous shooting flag 2 to "0"#205), and close the barrier (#205).
206), after returning the lens to standat (#207)
．． #208> Skip the routine such as recording and go to #97
Go to and record the audio.

Also, go from #68 to #105, and here continuous shooting flag 2
If it is "1", it is determined that continuous shooting has been stopped, so the continuous shooting flag 2 is set to "0" and the spindle motor 3 is set to "0".
oFFL 7 (#210), close the barrier (#211)
, after returning the lens to standard <#212. #21
3), proceed to #88 and continue recording for the remaining time of the timer. Also, if the continuous shooting flag 2 is "1" when proceeding to #112 with an uncharged lot, the above #209
Similar to #213 to #213, processing to stop continuous shooting is performed in #214 to #218, and the process moves to #88.

In addition, in this embodiment, additional recording cannot be performed after recording ends after 9.6 seconds of continuous shooting has elapsed, and if continuous shooting ends (switch S2 is turned off or the battery is not charged) before 9.6 seconds have elapsed, , it is now possible to record additional audio. Further, according to the S1 sequence shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the barrier is kept open during continuous shooting in order to reduce the time lag.

Furthermore, the corresponding video track number for audio during continuous shooting can be made to correspond to the track number of the first (first stage of continuous shooting),
It can also be made to correspond to all track numbers.

Next, repeat the self mode sequence in #70 above in the fifth step.
This will be explained using figures.

Set timer T to 9.6 seconds (S) #3゜1) and start voice memory and self-count #302,1
303), during timer counting, the LED is blinked to indicate that self-counting or recording is in progress (#305). And while recording, #306. #308
The deck lid is opened or the main switch SO is turned off.
When it is FF, please reset the voice memory by self-cancelling as an indication of your intention to stop recording from the beginning #308).
Return to the main flowchart. When the recording continues until the timer counts up (YES in #304), end the audio memory (#309), and select #7 in the S1 sequence.
Move to 1.

In addition, to record the audio memory to the floppy disk in self mode, after recording the image (#75 in Figures 3 and 4),
This is done in #97. Also, during self-count, LE
The D blinks to indicate the self-count and recording in progress, but the selfie LED can also be used to indicate that recording is in progress when recording during normal shooting (for example, single mode). You can also do this.

Next, #66 photometry/AE in the above S1 sequence
The calculation sequence will be explained with reference to FIG.

First, photometric elements SP, AVE and photometric circuit 16.17
Perform photometry (#401) and convert the photometry analog data to A
The data is A/D converted by the /D conversion circuit 18 and taken into the CPUI (#402 to #404).

Next, check whether the switch S1 is AP locked without being pressed (#405), and if NO, the brightness photometric value Bv of the center (spot) is determined from the brightness photometric value Bv2 of the surrounding (above).
1 to find the brightness difference ΔBv (#406), and subtract a predetermined correction value α according to ΔBv from the photometric value Bv1 of the spot to find the main subject brightness BvS (#4
07) Also, the above-mentioned Abe photometric value Bv2 is set as the background, that is, the sub-subject brightness BvA (#408). Also, if AF is locked in #405, #40'6. Proceed to #408 without processing #407. Here, the AF lock at #405 is #1 in the S1 sequence in Figures 3 and 4.
This is only the case when moving from #08 to #66 and performing photometry/AE calculations.

Next, check whether the lens is in a close-up state (#409), and if NO, calculate the difference between the sub-subject brightness BvA and the main subject brightness BvS calculated above, that is, the degree of backlighting ΔBvS (#410>, Compare this value with the backlight detection level δ (#411). If ΔBvS is smaller than δ, it is assumed that the degree of backlighting is small (frontlighting), and the weighted main subject brightness Bvs- is 1/8 B v S.
+ 7/8 B v A is used (#412). on the other hand,
#4114 If ΔBvS is larger than δ, the degree of backlighting is large (backlighting) and the backlight flag is set to "1"(#415), and BvS is set to Bvs- (#416)
).

These weightings are performed by weighting circuit 20 (FIG. 1).

Subsequently, when the above process #4j2 is performed, Bvs
- Check whether the brightness is equal to or higher than the camera shake limit brightness B v H (#414>, and if this is YES, it is determined that the brightness is brighter than the camera shake limit brightness, enter natural light shooting mode ■, and
If it is O, it is determined that it is dark and the dark flash photography mode ■ is entered. Also, when the process of #416 is performed, check whether the sub-subject brightness BvA minus the backlight detection level δ is equal to or higher than the camera shake limit brightness BvH (#417
), if YES, it is bright backlight, so set the path flag as "1" (1418), and enter backlight flash photography mode. If NO, it is backlit, but the background is dark, so dark flash photography mode is entered. ■ Enter.

First, natural light photography mode (2) will be explained.

In this mode, the initial setting ISO sensitivity SvO determined by the CCD 31 corresponding to the film is set as the sensitivity value Sv.
419), the maximum brightness BvM that can control proper exposure when the subject brightness is extremely bright, and the maximum shutter speed T
From vM, the value Av corresponding to the aperture of the lens, and the value Sv corresponding to the sensitivity of the CCD (both are apex values), B v
M == T v M + A v-8v (+
420).

Next, the Bvs- obtained in #412 above and the BvM above
Compare the magnitude of +421), and if Bvs is larger than BvM, it is too bright, so use 5vO-1 as the sensitivity value Sv (+4.22), and if BvS- is larger than BvM, process #422 above. Without doing so, it is determined that boosting is not necessary (+423) and the process moves to the S1 sequence.

Next, dark flash photography mode (2) will be explained.

In this mode, compare the main subject brightness BvS plus IEv and the camera shake limit brightness BvH (+424).
If BvS±1 is smaller than BvH, the control brightness value B
As vT, the main subject brightness BvS plus IEv is set (+425). As a result, when using only natural light, the main subject will be photographed at an IEv degree below the appropriate value. On the other hand, if BvS11 is smaller than BvH, the main subject is dark, so the camera shake limit brightness BvH is set as the control brightness value BvT (+426).

Furthermore, in order to calculate the correction value for flash dimming, we calculate the value ΔEvN, which indicates whether the main subject will be far below the appropriate level when photographed in full natural light, and calculate the main subject brightness Bv
Obtained from the difference between S and the above control brightness value 13 v 'F (+4
27), check whether this value ΔEvN is greater than IEv (+428), and if it is, set ΔEvN to -IEv #4.29), then ΔEvN is -3Ev
Check if it is less than or equal to (+430) = YES
If ΔEvN is between -1 and -3, the correction value K is set to 0 and +431).
is (1/2)ΔEvN+(3/2) (+432>
.

Next, check whether the main subject distance is 5m or more (+4
33), if the distance is 5m or more, the flash dimming correction value ΔE
Please set VFL to the above correction value +0.5 +434),
If it is less than 5 m, the tuning light correction value ΔEvFL is set to the above correction value (+435).

Next, set the initial setting ISO sensitivity SvO to the IS of the CCD31.
Furthermore, the maximum controllable brightness BvM at the brightest time is calculated from the maximum shutter speed TvM, the aperture value AV of the lens, and the sensitivity value Sv above, B v M = T v M +436). -3v (+437), it is checked whether the control brightness value BvT is equal to or higher than the maximum controllable brightness BvM determined above (+
438>. If the comparison result is YES, it is bright, and the ISO sensitivity Sv is set to 5vO-1 and +439)
, Then, using T v M + A v −S v as the maximum controllable brightness BvM− at this time, (+
440), check again whether the control brightness value BvT is greater than or equal to the maximum controllable brightness BvM (+441), and if the comparison result is YES, check the transparent flag (+442); Compare the subject brightness BvS and the maximum brightness value BvM- above +443), BvS or BvM
If it is larger than -, the brightness of the main subject is bright even in backlight and no flash is necessary, so the clear flag is set to ``0''(+444>) and the mode shifts to natural light photography mode ■.

Above #438. Comparison result of #441 and +443?N
O, and when the clear flag at +442 is 0, go to +445 and control the flash emission timing Tv by adjusting the brightness value BvT, ISO sensitivity value Sv, and lens aperture value A.
From v, it is assumed that Tv=BvT×Sv AV. Furthermore, it is checked whether the flash emission timing Tv is less than or equal to the maximum shutter speed TvM (+446), and if Tv is smaller than TvM, the same timing Tv is the maximum shutter speed Tv
Check whether it is less than or equal to H (+447 >, TV is T v
If it is larger than H, the Tv obtained in #445 above is left unchanged, a flag indicating the need for boosting is raised (+448), and the SL
Move to Siegen. In addition, when the judgments of +446 and +447 are YES, Tv is used as TvM (+
44.9), set T v H (#450) and +
Proceed to 448.

Next, backlight flash photography mode (2) will be explained.

In this mode, the sub-subject brightness BvA-1 is used as the control brightness value BvT (#451). As a result, when the main subject is properly exposed, the background will be photographed with an overexposure of IEv. After the process of #451, the process moves to #427, and the same process is performed thereafter.

In addition, in #409 above, if the lens is in a close-up state, proceed to #452, and the camera shake limit brightness value at close-up is BvCU, and the camera shake limit shutter speed T.
From vH, aperture value AvCU during close-up, and initial setting ISO sensitivity SvO, BvCU=TvH+AvCU
-3vO, then compare this camera shake limit brightness value BvCU with the sub-subject brightness BvA #453), and find that BvA is BvCU
If it is larger, the sub-subject brightness BvA+0.75 is set as the control brightness value BvT (#454), and the flash emission timing Tv is set based on the above BvT and the initial setting ISO sensitivity SvO.
From the aperture value AvCU during close-up, T v = B v T 10S v O-A v CU
Toshiki #455), boosting required #456), S1
Return to Siegens. In addition, if BvA is smaller than BvCU, the camera shake limit shutter speed TvHC during close-up is set as the flash emission timing Tv (#4
57), proceed to #456 above.

Next, the release sequence in S1 sequence (
#74) will be explained with reference to FIG.

This release is controlled based on the photometry/AE calculation results.

If the lens is not in close-up mode and strobe light is not required (No in #501 or #502), natural light photography will be used, and the center spot (sp) of the light receiving area and the surrounding area (AV
Using the luminance data of E) (#503), the photometry/AF
, weighting based on Bvs- determined in #412 of the calculation sequence is added (#504). This weighting is performed by a circuit 20 based on a command from the CPU 1 shown in FIG. Then, the timer t1 is set to the camera shake limit time t1, and light adjustment (exposure) is started when the timer is started (#505, #506). Here, -T v H.

H-2 After the start of dimming, the reference standard potential VO that sets the appropriate exposure in the circuit 28 that controls the shutter opening time shown in FIG. The exposure is completed when 0≧V is reached. (#511).

If the timer reaches t1-0 before reaching this ■0≧■ (YES in #508), compare the reference potential v1 (>VO) and the control potential V (#509), and if V is higher than ■1 (NO in #509>, even after the camera shake limit time has elapsed, the subject is dark and the exposure is still insufficient, so increase the gain by a predetermined amount in the gain control discrimination circuit 24. #5
22), the exposure is completed (#511). Also, #5 above
If Vl is 7 or more in 09 (YES in #509), the exposure is ended without changing the gain (#511).

Note that after the exposure is completed, the process proceeds to #75 of the S1 sequence.

On the other hand, if strobe light is required (YES in #502)
), use the luminance data of only the center spot (sp>) of the light receiving part (#512), add ΔEvFLL and Sv calculated above as correction values #513), and use Bvs- calculated in above #416. 514), check whether it is backlit or not from the above-mentioned transparent flag (#515), and if it is not backlit (
Transparent flag - O), processes #516 to #522 below, and if backlit (clear flag -1), #523 to #52
7 is processed and the exposure is completed (#511).

In any of these processes, timers t1t and t2-tH+tF are set.

A'-Tv-- Here, tA=2 is the timing time until the flash is emitted, t==2-TvH is the camera shake limit time, and t is the flash emission time.

Then, natural exposure is started by timer start, and t1
When the value becomes 0, light control starts by emitting a flash.

Regarding the processing after the start of light adjustment, when there is no backlight, the timer t1 in the case of shooting with only natural light as described above is used.
It is the same except that timer t2 is used instead of , and since it is brighter when backlit than when it is not backlit, it is necessary to process whether to increase the gain when timer t2-0 is reached. Exposure is immediately terminated (#511).

Also, when the lens is in a close-up state, #5
28 to #536 are performed, and the exposure is completed (#511). That is, in this process, similar to #503 above, the brightness data of the center spot (SP) and the periphery (Ave) of the light receiving section are used, and the correction of AvCU is added, so that Bvs-= (3/4)BvS+ ( 1/4) BvA weighting is added (#530), and the same processing as #523 to #527 in the case of backlighting described above is performed. Note that the camera shake limit time during close-up is TvHC.

is t HC-2 In addition, in the above embodiment, weighting was added in the case of close-up and natural light modes, but weighting may be added also in backlighting, or the value may be set separately. may be determined.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of a still video camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a main flowchart showing the operation of the camera, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the sequence of switch S1, and FIG. 4 Flowchart 1~ shows another example of the sequence of switch S1, FIG. 5 shows flowchart 1~ of the self sequence, and FIG. 6 shows photometry/
Flowcharts 1 to 7 of the AE calculation sequence and FIG. 7 are flowcharts of the release sequence. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... CPU, 31... CCD, 34... Video recording circuit, 35... Magnetic head, Sl... Photometering and ranging switch, S2... Release switch, S3... Recording switch, S4...mode changeover switch, S7...
・Deck lid switch, 313...Lens selection switch.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In a still video camera that has means for recording video information on a recording medium and has an opening/closing lid for taking the recording medium in and out of the camera body, when the opening/closing lid is opened, the camera is involved in the shooting operation. A still video camera characterized in that input signals from various operating members to the camera body are not accepted.